Radio Features

We're drinking more and more coffee and consuming more and more caffeine. This trend has both positive and negative aspects. Gary Crawford explores both on this edition of Agriculture USA.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Comedian, Tim Hawkins. Kansas State University Extension scientist, Karen Blakeslee. Kara Crawford.

Are consumers paying a fair price for meat products? Are farmers getting a fair price for their livestock? Gary Crawford has this report.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Brian Deese, Director of the National Economic Council. Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture.

Competitive grant funding designed to support farm, food, and frontline grocery store workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will soon be available. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Secretary Tom Vilsack

Medical experts are trying to dispel the many myths and misconceptions that have sprung up about the Covid vaccinations. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. President Joe Biden. Dr. Fred Gerr, Professor Emeritus of the University of Iowa.

The drought in the West is shaping up to be what is known as a Mega Drought. Stephanie Ho has more information about how experts make that determination.

PARTICIPANTS: Stephanie Ho and USDA Chief Meteorologist, Mark Brusberg.

Healthcare facilities in Rural America with plans to increase services and improve facilities have an avenue of assistance via USDA Rural Development grants and loans. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain. Bill Flagg of the Center for the Advancement of Rural Living. Luis Villareal of Cactus Health Services.

Are livestock producers getting fair prices from meat processors? Are consumers paying fair prices for meats? Gary Crawford has a report.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Brian Deese, Director of the National Economic Council. Tom Vilsack, Agriculture Secretary.

Applications will be soon available for two new USDA grant programs addressing pandemic safety and response in sectors such as ag production, food and seafood processing, and farmers markets. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain. Secretary Tom Vilsack. Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Moffitt.

A USDA program was recently expanded to help drought impacted livestock producers recover some of their costs associated with transporting feed due to poor grazing conditions. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain. Secretary Tom Vilsack. Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux.

A combination of planted and harvested acreages revisions, and certified acreage numbers, resulted in updates for crop production data in USDA's latest crop production reports. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer

A new USDA lending program could help producers involved in heirs property issues create a path to resolution, and in turn, gain eligibility for USDA programs and services. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux